Disrespectful Intern

[OhioMD]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hope. everyone is doing well and as I said to my friends, surving residency!

Since this is a public forum, I dont want to go into specifics but would appreciate hearing any thoughts or suggestions about how you would deal with an intern who is being disrespectful and verbally abusive?

Or how to prevent that type of behavior from happening? I like to be nice and good humored with my work colleagues and help out the interns when they get overwhelmed.

But I really don't know what to say or act with a junior colleague who thinks he can say things to me that are disrespectful or mean.

One of the reasons I am posting this question is that I hope it may be helpful for others who may be dealing with this situation.

I am a second year female resident in a primary care residency.

Thanks very much in advance!

 

[Rendar5]

you handle it first by confronting them about their behavior. and then letting your chief know the issue. They're your chiefs for a reason. But don't do step 2 without also doing step 1.

 

[OhioMD]

Thank you for your reply. I was thinking of talking to the Intern, with a chief present.


A little leery how to act around him until that can happen and just as importantly, how to prevent this problem in the future.I will mention that I am American and the said intern is an FMG. The program is a mix of AMGs and FMGs.

An Attending has told he had seen similar problems during his residency with FMG's and American women.

Don't know if being an FMG has anything to do with his current behavior but personally I can't imagine being disrespectful or ignoring a senior resident.

 

[Dejavu]

There very well might be a cultural component to the disrepect. It is probably ingrained and he is doing it without thinking.

However, you and he are in the United States now, where that behaviour is not tolerated. What is the norm in Saudi Arabia or some such culture is not what we do here.

I agree with the previous posts. You need to speak to him, alone first, but clearly and unemotionally (very important, or you enforce his belief system), that you will not tolerate it, explain the rank structure and the respective positions you both hold in that rank structure.

His knows all this from orientation, but remind him of the next steps you will take if he will not curb himself, and then take those steps at the next clearly defined episode. If you do not do so, all is lost.

Also, be clear in your mind that you are being 100 % professional in all this, because he will attempt to paint you as a hysterical, petty little female, you know he will. So be careful. But be assertive and be strong.

Don't put up with his crap.

 

[samsoniter]

Totally agree with Dejavu,
also, look at it as though you are doing him a favor- because you are. But nipping this problem in the bud he will likely have a more successful residency and career, this would probably be worth mentioning during your discussion. Also, try to be as non confrontational as possible, but to reiterate, you must be strong!

 

[dpmd]

Agree with the recommendations to talk with the intern first. I would argue that you should do it privately before involving the chief, and discussing specific behaviors or comments that you found offensive or rude. It is possible that there is just a misunderstanding, without knowing the specifics. We have a FMG here who didn't realize the the way he phrased sentences what coming off as demanding and rude until it was pointed out to him, and has since gotten better. Maybe your guy is unquestionable a dick just to you (if he only does whatever he does to the women is different than if he just talks like that to everyone) and you don't feel comfortable talking to him alone. If that is the case involving the chief earlier is probably a good idea.

 

[Flukologist]

I agree with dpmd and the general consensus here. As an FMG in my culture we actually are taught to treat women with the utmost respect and this is most likely a misunderstanding (i sincerely hope so for his sake ) . One thing i would also ask you is whether he/ she is older than you. He may have the misconception that seniority in a professional environment is connoted by chronological age.
Please talk to this individual personally as he is out of line , and if he persists with this behavior than with the chief resident.

 

[Gastrapathy]

Talk in front of a male chief. But you run the meeting. Seeing the chief defer to you will be much more effective. Having a witness will protect you.

 

[Taciturngosamer]

I would have a calm collected coversation with talking points ( ie 1) Expectations 2) Example of when the intern violated appropriate expectations and 3) teaching point)

If there is any discomfort I would have the conversation in a public place where there are witnesses but not grand central station. I think resolving these sort of things without the chief or attending is most appropriate way at this level of training.

That being said: I'm in a residency where we tend to call people out quickly for disrespect. I never raise my voice, I never call names, but I am always very clear about the fact that I am senior to the disrespectful individual.

My example is a male intern who routinely rolled his eyes at me, would contradict me in front of patients, and worst of all would make inappropriate clinical decisions when told not to by both myself and attending (ie pull drains) Needless to say I was not the only one who gave him appropriate information on how to be respectful and collegial in the workplace.

 

[cowme]

what goes around comes around. You will have scheduling power soon enough